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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged members of the public to guard against dengue fever following the confirmation of three imported cases by laboratory test today (August 17).
The first case involved a 68-year-old woman. She travelled to Indonesia between July 14 and 29 and developed fever and tiredness on August 1. She was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital on August 3 and was discharged on August 15. Her travel companions and her family members have no symptoms of dengue fever.
The patient in the second case is a 53-year-old woman. She travelled to Bangladesh alone from May 11 to August 4. She developed fever, headache, bone pain and myalgia on August 6. The woman was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on August 11 and was discharged on August 16. The family members of her did not have any symptoms of dengue fever.
The third case is a 27-year-old woman. The patient was a member of a group visiting the Philippines from July 23 to August 5 this year. She developed symptoms of dengue fever on August 5 and was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital on August 10. She was discharged on August 15. Three other members of the group were confirmed yesterday to have infected with dengue fever.
A total of 28 cases of imported dengue fever have been reported to the CHP so far this year. There were 31 cases in 2006 and all of them were classified as imported cases.
A spokesman for CHP urged members of the public to stay alert to the threat of dengue fever and help preventing mosquito breeding by taking the following measures:
* Put all used cans and bottles into dustbins with covers;
* Change water for plants at least once a week, leaving no water in the saucers underneath flower pots;
* Cover tightly all water containers, wells and water storage tanks; and
* Keep all drains free from blockage.
Travellers should take the following preventive measures:
* Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers;
* Use insect repellent on the exposed parts of the body; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when rooms are not air-conditioned.
Anyone feeling unwell after returning from their trip should consult a doctor as soon as possible and provide details of their travel to the doctor.
The latest information on dengue fever in other places can be found under ¡§Outbreak News¡¨ on the Hong Kong Travel Health Service website http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html. Travel agents, tour guides and travellers can visit the website for the latest news and advice on preventive measures.
Ends/Friday, August 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:30
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